el narcotráficodrug trafficking
El artículo analiza distintas políticas contra el narcotráfico.
Politics · Latin America
El dilema de Ecuador ante la guerra contra el narcotráfico
The dilemma facing Ecuador in the war on drug trafficking
C114 minArticle reviewed
Before you open the article
This preparation gives you the story context, essential vocabulary, useful expressions and reading questions. Study it first, then open the original news article, which is written in Spanish.
Start preparing with vocabulary ↓What this article is about
This opinion article argues that decades of militarized and security-focused anti-drug policies in Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador have failed to reduce the underlying drug economy. The author contrasts different strategies and presents the problem as a broader social and economic challenge rather than only a criminal one.
Background you need
Latin American governments have used very different approaches to organized crime, from military campaigns and police operations to negotiation-oriented policies. Because this is an opinion column, the article mixes references to events with the author's judgments about their effectiveness. Readers should separate factual claims from evaluation and pay close attention to strongly loaded political language.
Key vocabulary
Essential vocabulary
el crimen organizadoorganized crime
El crimen organizado puede controlar territorios y economías ilegales.
la inseguridadinsecurity / public-safety crisis
La inseguridad se convirtió en un tema central del debate público.
el decomisoseizure / confiscation
El decomiso de droga aumentó durante el operativo.
el control territorialterritorial control
El texto cuestiona la pérdida de control territorial frente a grupos criminales.
los estupefacientesnarcotics / controlled drugs
El consumo de estupefacientes forma parte del debate sobre política de drogas.
la militarizaciónmilitarization
La columna cuestiona la militarización de la lucha contra el narcotráfico.
la política antidrogasanti-drug policy
El autor compara distintas políticas antidrogas en la región.
la economía ilegalillegal economy
El narcotráfico sostiene una amplia economía ilegal.
la demanda de drogasdrug demand
El texto sostiene que la demanda de drogas mantiene rentable el negocio.
Quick practice
Vocabulary flashcards
Useful expressions
Expressions
poner en práctica— to put into practice
Los gobiernos pusieron en práctica estrategias muy diferentes.
ir más allá de— to go beyond
El autor sostiene que el problema va más allá del narcotráfico.
no dar resultados— to fail to produce results
La columna afirma que varias políticas no han dado resultados.
Language focus
Language focus
Opinion columns often use evaluative adjectives, sweeping judgments and rhetorical contrasts. Readers should distinguish the writer's interpretation from verifiable facts.
El autor califica algunas estrategias como ineficaces.
In argumentative Spanish, “mientras + subjunctive” can present a condition that remains in force as long as something continues.
Mientras la demanda se incremente, el negocio seguirá siendo rentable.
The pattern “no X, sino Y” reframes an argument by rejecting one interpretation and replacing it with another.
No es solo un problema policial, sino también social y económico.
Before you read
Questions to keep in mind
- Which countries and anti-drug strategies does the author compare?
- Which statements are presented as facts and which are clearly the author's judgments?
- What does the author consider the deeper cause of the problem?
Continue with the original
Now read the news in Spanish
You have prepared the main context and language. The button opens the publisher’s original Spanish-language article in a new tab.
Open the original article in Spanish →After reading
Reflect on what you read
- What is the central argument of the opinion piece?
- Which policy examples does the author use to support that argument?
- How does the language of the column try to persuade the reader?
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